Counties Support Effort to Update State's Recycling Systems

On February 22, 2023, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 109 – Task Force on Recycling Policy and Recycling and Waste Systems in Maryland.

This bill establishes the eponymous Task Force on Recycling Policy and Recycling and Waste Systems in Maryland, principally to review and update the Maryland Recycling Act (MRA), but also to study recycling and waste systems in the State more generally. The MRA is a state-wide policy that demarcates the roles of state and local governments in waste diversion and recycling efforts. The Act should rightfully be updated periodically to preserve its effectiveness, and HB 109 establishes a task force that brings together major players from the waste industry, as well as state and local government, to accomplish this very goal.

From the MACo Testimony:

In Maryland, county governments are the principal actors in achieving the State’s recycling goals. Counties operate the entire range of solid waste facilities, including recycling centers and other facilities. Counties actively promote to residents the importance of recycling and deliver the collection infrastructure that enables widespread resident participation. Even as recycling programs globally face challenges with back-end markets and other system shocks from outside Maryland, it is county governments who lead Maryland’s response to continue efforts toward our shared goals. HB 109 recognizes this central role and brings county perspectives to these deliberations.